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So you’ve trailed through Spare Room or Gumtree and even a few dodgy Facebook groups and you’ve got your viewings lined up.

Not only do you have to plan a strategic trek across London, but you have to make a good impression while also sussing out the existing housemates with good questions that will give you a good insight into life with them but, equally, won’t scare them off.

1. Did you all know each other originally?

Elbowing your way into a group of friends who have known each other for years is a daunting prospect, but living with a group of strangers who may not be so committed to each other could mean that the house is just a conveyer belt of people.

2. Do you all cook together?

This could be a life saver if your repertoire of dishes is limited but could be a nightmare for someone who likes to count the calories, calculates macros religiously or is lactose free.

(Picture: Getty)

3. Related: are you a #eatclean house?

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You need to know whether you can eat your third night of beans on toast without judgment.

4. Also, related, do you have allergies?

In the sense that I shouldn’t leave a peanut buttery knife in the sink or you’re going to buy almond milk for your porridge but steal my semi-skimmed for your mum’s coffee when she’s visiting.

5. Will I need to bring kitchen stuff?

Most shared houses are well-equipped with the dregs of flat shares of the past and they are too small to accommodate your spiraliser and juicer, asking first saves the headache of trying to play jenga in the cupboards.

6. Do you all sit together and watch TV?

Bonding over the seventh episode of Come Dine with Me or Made in Chelsea is the basis of any new friendship.

7. Is the TV staying?

Or is it vacating the premises along with the person you’re replacing? This could be a deal breaker.

8. I see there’s a bath, will there be a problem if I have one sometimes?

Baths can be the cause of a lot of passive aggressive angst in shared houses. They are expensive and you take a hell of a long time in the one bathroom four other adults have to share. If you’re a bath person, you should know the score from the off.

9. What’s the morning routine?

This could be disguised as a where is your office/ what time do you leave in the morning question. It’s good to know if you’re going to be 10 minutes late every day because someone likes to take a 30 minute shower in the morning when you just need to brush your teeth.

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10. What is the landlord like?

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It’s not easy to describe the person who takes more than 80% of your salary every month as decent but it’s good to know if they’re going to make your life hell. Are they meeting your eye when they brush you off with “Yeah he’s great, we don’t really have anything to do with him”?

11. Is the damp problem being fixed?

If you spot a damp patch behind a strategically placed plant, ask. If someone has been round in the last 3 months and checked it out then you’re in a better position than most people.

12. Related: is there a tumble dryer?

If there is damp, your clothes are never going to be dry.

13. Is it okay for my boyfriend/girlfriend to stay over sometimes?

This can be a deal breaker for them just as much you. They don’t want to hear you having sex/arguing at all hours but equally you don’t want to have to sneak him in and out.

14. Are you in relationships?

This can give you an indicator as to whether someone is going to move out soon to settle down with their significant other or whether there will be a new Tinder conquest hogging the bathroom every Saturday morning.

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15. How many more people are coming to see the room?

Suss out how much competition you have and how fast you need to text and say you’ll cough up the deposit.

16. When can I move in?

Get those dates clear from the beginning because you can be struggling to find somewhere to sleep for one or two nights before you can finally call this place home.